# US 10,369,018 B2 · Prosthetic device, system and method for increasing vacuum attachment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,018 B2 - Document ID: US10369018B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/457,266 - Filed: 2017-03-13 - Published: 2017-06-29 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-04-30 - Assignees: Ossur Hf - Applicants: Ossur Hf - Inventors: Olafur Freyr Halldorsson; David Sandahl; Bjarni Gunnarsson; Egill Sveinbjorn Egilsson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369018B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/80: Sockets, e.g. of suction type - A61F 2/68: Operating or control means - A61F 2/66: Feet; Ankle joints - A61F 2/742: {Low pressure systems, e.g. vacuum pump} - A61F 2/748: {Valve systems} - A61F 2002/501: {having an inflatable pocket filled with fluid, i.e. liquid or gas} - A61F 2002/5067: {having rolling elements between articulating surfaces} - A61F 2002/5079: {Leaf springs (A61F2002/6657 takes precedence)} - A61F 2002/607: {Lower legs} - A61F 2002/6614: {Feet} - A61F 2002/6664: {Dual structures made of two connected cantilevered leaf springs} - A61F 2002/802: {Suction sockets, i.e. utilizing differential air pressure to retain the prosthesis on the stump} - A61F 2002/805: {having an air valve} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract A prosthetic foot including a foot member and a heel member attached to a bottom surface of the foot member. A pump mechanism is located above the foot member and includes a housing and an elastomeric member at least in part defining a fluid chamber. The elastomeric member is operatively connected to the foot member such that when no weight is placed on the prosthetic foot the volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and upon heel strike the housing rotates relative to the foot member to expand the volume of the fluid chamber and draw fluid into the fluid chamber from a prosthetic socket in fluid communication with the pump mechanism. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A prosthetic device comprising: a prosthetic foot including a foot member and a heel member attached to a bottom surface of the foot member; a pump mechanism located above the foot member, the pump mechanism comprising a vacuum pump mechanism including an elastomeric member and a housing surrounding an outer edge of the elastomeric member and the elastomeric member at least in part defining a variable size fluid chamber between an upper surface of the elastomeric member and the housing; the fluid chamber including a volume defined at least in part by the upper surface and a bottom of the fluid chamber formed by the housing; the elastomeric member operatively coupled to the foot member such that when no weight is placed on the prosthetic foot the volume of the fluid chamber is near-zero and upon heel strike the prosthetic foot rotates the housing relative to the foot member to expand the volume of the fluid chamber and draw fluid into the fluid chamber from a prosthetic socket in fluid communication with the pump mechanism. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein when the prosthetic foot is dorsiflexed the volume of the fluid chamber is near-zero. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein plantar flexion of the prosthetic foot expands the volume of the fluid chamber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein movement of the foot member away from the heel member decreases the volume of the fluid chamber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein movement of the foot member towards the heel member expands the volume of the fluid chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein at least an outer radial edge of the elastomeric member engages the housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric member is anchored to the foot member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the housing defines a port in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, and arranged to draw the fluid from the prosthetic socket. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The prosthetic device of claim 8, further comprising a tube secured to the port. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The prosthetic device of claim 9, further comprising a one-way valve in fluid communication with the tube and the prosthetic socket. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The prosthetic device of claim 9, wherein the one-way valve is located externally to the housing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the housing is spaced a distance from the foot member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The prosthetic device of claim 12, wherein the housing is located anterior to a posterior end of the heel member. ### Claim 14 A prosthetic system comprising: a prosthetic foot including a foot member and a heel member attached to a bottom surface of the foot member; a prosthetic socket connected to the prosthetic foot; and a pump mechanism in fluid communication with the prosthetic socket and located above the foot member, the pump mechanism comprising a vacuum pump mechanism including an elastomeric member and a housing surrounding an outer edge of the elastomeric member; the elastomeric member at least in part defining a variable size fluid chamber within the housing; the fluid chamber including a volume defined at least in part by the upper surface and a bottom of the fluid chamber formed by the housing; the elastomeric member operatively coupled to the foot member such that when no weight is placed on the prosthetic foot the volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and upon heel strike of the prosthetic foot rotates the housing rotates relative to the foot member to expand the volume of the fluid chamber and draw fluid into the fluid chamber from the prosthetic socket. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The prosthetic system of claim 14, wherein movement of the foot member away from the heel member decreases the volume of the fluid chamber. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The prosthetic system of claim 14, wherein movement of the foot member toward the heel member expands the volume of the fluid chamber.